Anonymous donor leaves $10 million for Seattle's KEXP

The donation is the largest ever for the local-focused station

Seattle's iconic public radio station KEXP announced that it had received its largest ever donation: $10 million from a woman identified only as Suzanne, who left the money to the station when she died. Keep clicking to see more photos from the station's Gathering Space since it opened in 2016. less

Seattle's iconic public radio station KEXP announced that it had received its largest ever donation: $10 million from a woman identified only as Suzanne, who left the money to the station when she died. Keep ... more

Photo: GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM

Photo: GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM

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Seattle's iconic public radio station KEXP announced that it had received its largest ever donation: $10 million from a woman identified only as Suzanne, who left the money to the station when she died. Keep clicking to see more photos from the station's Gathering Space since it opened in 2016. less

Seattle's iconic public radio station KEXP announced that it had received its largest ever donation: $10 million from a woman identified only as Suzanne, who left the money to the station when she died. Keep ... more

Photo: GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM

Anonymous donor leaves $10 million for Seattle's KEXP

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It's believed to be the single largest donation ever received by a public radio station, and it went to Seattle's iconic KEXP.

$10 million. Left behind by a woman identified only as Suzanne who died in 2016, younger than anyone who knew her at the station expected.

"What an amazing legacy she left and a very strong message for the power of music," said Betsy Troutman, KEXP's director of development. "It's truly amazing. Her generosity was amazing. Her willingness to leave a legacy and the fact that she would do this for us was a testament to her belief in the power of music to connect people."

Suzanne had long been a regular donor to the station, and was an early backer of the capital campaign that raised money for the move to KEXP's stylish Seattle Center location, Troutman said.

Tune in to KEXP at 90.3 FM or KEXP.org at 3 p.m. Monday for a tribute to Suzanne by DJ Kevin Cole

Troutman described the woman as generous and wholly supportive of KEXP's work. She had even mentioned that the station was in her estate plans. But Troutman said she didn't expect anything so large or so soon.

The money, which is $1.4 million more than the station's total annual budget, will be largely invested in an endowment so it can generate a revenue stream of its own. But it also quickly wrapped up the station's effort to set aside six months' worth of operating funding, allowing incoming donations to go directly toward programs, Mara said.

Troutman said the station's first investment from the massive donation will be to build out community education partnerships, but funds will go toward a variety of programs moving forward.

How did some of Seattle's most prominent and iconic bands get their start? Click through the slideshow to about their humble beginnings.

How did some of Seattle's most prominent and iconic bands get their start? Click through the slideshow to about their humble beginnings.

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How did some of Seattle's most prominent and iconic bands get their start? Click through the slideshow to about their humble beginnings.

How did some of Seattle's most prominent and iconic bands get their start? Click through the slideshow to about their humble beginnings.

Photo: JORDAN STEAD/SEATTLEPI.COM

Local bands and origins

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Such a large donation came as a bit of a shock to Mara, triggering a mix of emotions, he said.

"I remember getting the call from Betsy. I know exactly where I was, I was in my sister's pantry when the phone rang. It was stunning," Mara said. "And it was difficult to express things to each other on the phone... It was just overwhelming."

The money gives the station a buffer it hasn't had before, allowing its board to move faster on planned programs and think about new ways it can connect with the community.

Troutman said the station will be able to move ahead faster on its digital content efforts, as well as programs that haven't been finalized yet.

The donation was bittersweet, however, as Suzanne meant so much to many at the station and will be deeply missed, Troutman and Mara agreed.

Mara said the announcement of the donation had everyone at the station reflecting on Suzanne but it was also a time to think about music.

"I think this is a good time for anybody to reflect on the role that music has in their lives, in that music makes lives better, and each of us, including myself, we need to support artists to a greater extent. We need to see their shows, we need to buy their music and we need to discover artists that need to be heard," Mara said. "Music often plays a background role in our lives, and it does very well there...Let's take this moment as a way to bring music into the forefront of our lives, too."